InstallerSHOW’s Andy Bishop looks at InstallerSHOW’s Kitchen of the Future talks – three great days of kitchen education and inspiration.
With the dust well and truly settled after June’s InstallerSHOW 2025 I thought it would be a good time to look back at the amazing talks programme that took place on the kitchen of the future stage. Over a packed three days, InstallerSHOW’s 2025 event continued its rapid growth, reporting a whopping 54% increase in visitors over the same event in 2024. Boasting more than 800 visitors and over 31,000 visitors, the event was a significant coming together of trade professionals across heat, water, energy and the built environment, including a vast bathroom section and a growing number of kitchen-related exhibitors.
The Kitchen of the Future stage was successfully introduced to InstallerSHOW in 2024, and this year saw the programme grow to cover more aspects of the kitchen sector. The theatre itself featured a Johnny Grey ‘Unfitted Kitchen’ with the integration of innovative new products, including Caple appliances, Blanco’s Choice All tap, TPB Tech’ invisible hob and RørosHetta’s feature-laden extractor hood – each product was demonstrated by the manufacturers throughout the event. In a packed speaker programme, Kitchen of the Future talks explored many aspects of the sector with experts and commentators from across the world of kitchens, from manufacturers to installers, designers to retailers.
Designers
The programme’s headliners included Laurence Llewellyn Bowen, who spoke about the importance of the kitchen to the family and why it serves as the heart of the home. Over the years, Laurence has designed hundreds of kitchens and has recently launched his own kitchen brand, Quintessential Kitchens so his experience led to a highly informative (and amusing) presentation in his inimitable style. Elsewhere, Channel 5’s Mark Millar enthused about managing clients’ expectations and how, with good communication, creativity and resourcefulness, installers can deliver what the client really wants.
Mark Millar commented, “The best kitchen designers and planners are actually kitchen fitters – They are spatially aware, have the experience, they know what work,s and while the client controls the budget, it’s the fitter who gets them the most for their hard-earned cash.”
Also talking about design was Alina Tacutanu of Kitchen Reflection, who, in conversation with design journalist Elspeth Pridham, discussed the merits of working with an experienced kitchen consultant who brings together all elements of the kitchen from product sourcing to design and installation services for busy clients.
Elspeth Pridham, editor, The Insider said, “I was delighted to be part of the talks programme on the Kitchen of the Future stage at this year’s Installer Show. As well as all the exciting new products being launched it was important to have a platform to explore developments in kitchen design as it is such a fundamental aspect of the industry – whether you are a manufacturer, retailer or installer.”
Award-Winning Installers
Kitchen installers took to the stage across all three days of the programme to give real-life tips, tricks and business advice. Space-Plug chief Cliff Petit introduced award-winning installers Graham Parnell (The kitchen & bathroom installer) and Tom Easter (T&N Developments), who discussed their careers so far, and how their work has led them to be recognised with awards from Howdens and BiKBBI for their work. Another high-profile kitchen installer, Andy Snelson, gave a fascinating presentation about his journey as a kitchen fitter with ‘A Day in the life of That Kitchen Fitter’ while Gavin Tutton (Gavin Tutton Carpentry) joined a panel of experts to offer an installer’s perspective on Surfaces – and how to ‘Get it right first time’. Gavin was joined by Nigel Fletcher from the Worktop Fabrication Federation, Georgie Thomas of fabricators Natural Stone Surfaces and Gavin Shaw from porcelain slab manufacturer Laminam in a presentation that covered everything from fabrication safety to digital templating and the choice and sourcing of premium worktops.
Tom Easter of T&N Developments commented, “I believe the ‘Kitchen of the Future’ talks are a valuable and timely opportunity for industry experts and fitters like me to share insights, collaborate on ideas, and push the trade forward—together. It’s through open conversation that we shape the future of the industry.”
The kbbreview podcast live
For the first time, kbbreview’s managing editor Andy Davis hosted live daily podcasts from the Kitchen of the Future stage, each with an outstanding group of speakers. Topics covered included the current state of the kitchen retail business, a highly informative talk about inclusive kitchen design, and how to grow your business with social media. For those that didn’t make it to these talks, all three kbbreview podcasts are available to listen to on the kbbreview podcast channel.
“It was the first time I’d attended InstallerSHOW, and I was really impressed with the scale and the number of different exhibitors present. There was a great selection of speakers providing valuable knowledge and industry insights, next year I’ll make sure I have more time and not have to rush for a train as I did this year!”
Tom Baldwin, Signature Projects
Social Media Success
Winning at social media to increase business was also investigated by kitchen designer and master carpenter Derek Barrett, who lifted the lid on his success with Instagram and how he has amassed a healthy 150,000 followers and an impressive 2 million views of some of his Instagram Reels. He explained in detail his social media strategy including showing his personality, adding behind the scenes content and knowing how to sell yourself.
“It’s not just other tradespeople who watch my content, clients (and prospective clients) love to see how we design and deliver our work and when you put your face on camera ,it gives people someone to identify with” Check out Derek’s Instagram page here
InstallerSHOW returns to Birmingham’s NEC on 23 – 25 June 2026, and plans are already underway to offer more in the way of kitchen content specifically aimed at kitchen installation. More at https://www.installershow.com
